Dan Thiessen

With 4 years of Culinary Instructor experience and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Dan has worked kitchens in Aspen, Switzerland, Idaho then on to Seattle where he was an opening Instructor under Chef Roland Henin at the Art Institute of Seattle for 3 years. Chef Thiessen’s responsibilities included: assisting in development of the program; starting and coaching the competition teams and continuing as an advisor for the program. After teaching there he went on to hold the positions of Executive Chef; The Space Needle, Golf Club at Newcastle, Chandler’s Crabhouse, Corporate Chef of Salty’s Restaurants and then Chef/Owner of the 0/8 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine Bar. His experience in marketing includes his own “live call in” style radio cooking show for 5 years, numerous TV appearances as well as printed articles.

Dan has been featured in local, regional and national publications for quotes, recipes, industry insights and tips, throughout his career. His background from the CIA, and working in Europe, has developed a firm foundation on the fundamentals of cooking as well as restaurant ownership, and a unique ability to teach culinary management and leadership skills to those interested in a career in the industry.